Koh Samui Ferry Guide: Routes, Piers & How to Choose
Which Koh Samui ferry to take: mainland and island routes, piers, trip times, booking tips and the Bangkok direct-ferry caveat, so you can pick fast.
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Last updated November 2026: the right Koh Samui ferry depends on whether you are arriving from the mainland or hopping to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao. Mainland crossings run from Donsak, island hops leave from Samui's own piers, and there is no direct Bangkok boat to rely on. Use this guide to match your journey to a pier, then confirm times and fares with the operator.
Featured image: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Quick answer: which Koh Samui ferry do you need?
Choose by journey, not by operator name. Arriving from the mainland means a crossing from Donsak, where Raja Ferry car ferries and passenger boats serve Samui. Going to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao means a passenger boat from a Samui pier. Bangkok has no bookable direct ferry to Samui right now, so plan a bus-and-boat combination or a flight. Our guide to all the ways to reach Samui compares every mode side by side.
Without a direct sailing from Bangkok, a bus-and-boat bundle is the budget route, with fares from ฿1,000 cited but unverified.
| Journey | Typical boat | Time and fare |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland (Donsak) to Samui | Car ferry or passenger boat | Check the operator timetable |
| Samui to Koh Phangan | Passenger boat | Check the operator timetable |
| Samui to Koh Tao | Passenger boat | Check the operator timetable |
| Bangkok to Samui by sea | No direct sailing listed | Use bus-and-boat or fly |
Koh Samui ferry routes at a glance
Our route notes name three operators: Raja Ferry, Lomprayah and Seatran. Services link Samui with Donsak, Nathon and Bophut on the mainland side, plus island hops to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Piers and operators change by season, so confirm the departure point on your ticket. You can read the official Lomprayah route information for its catamaran services. For car carriage, see Raja Ferry's own site.
- Mainland to Samui: Donsak crossings, with car ferry and passenger options.
- Samui to Koh Phangan: passenger boats from the north coast piers.
- Samui to Koh Tao: passenger boats, often a longer crossing than Phangan.
- Bangkok to Samui: a Direct Ferries listing for Mae Nam Pier is marked not currently sailing.
Koh Samui ferry pier: which one fits your hotel?
Mae Nam Pier sits on the north coast near Mae Nam Beach. Direct Ferries describes it as a foot-passenger pier with links to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Surat Thani. A taxi from Chaweng or Fisherman's Village is quoted at roughly 20 to 30 minutes, which is an estimate and not a fixed fare. Add that transfer to your door-to-door time. Plan arrival transfers with our guide to moving around the island. Budget travelers can also look at shared songthaew trucks.
| Pier | Area | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Mae Nam | North coast, near Mae Nam Beach | Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Surat Thani links |
| Bophut / Fisherman's Village | North coast | Check operator for current routes |
| Nathon | Check operator | Mainland crossings, per our notes |
| Donsak | Mainland side | Samui crossings from the mainland |
Ferry vs bus-and-boat vs flight: time, cost, effort
Search snippets cite about 8 to 10 hours and fares from ฿1,000 for bundled Bangkok bus-and-ferry trips. Both figures are unverified, so confirm them with the seller. A bundle is usually the cheapest door-to-door option. Flying costs more but removes the sea leg. Read about flying into Samui if time matters most. Bangkok-based travelers can weigh the Bangkok-to-island routes before booking. Mainland arrivals by train or bus continue with Surat Thani to Samui connections.
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bus-and-boat bundle | Budget backpackers | Longest, several transfers |
| Donsak car ferry | Drivers and bike riders | Slower, extra pier transfer |
| Passenger catamaran | Island hoppers, light luggage | Weather-sensitive |
| Flight | Tight schedules | Highest fare |
Tickets, booking and amendments
We could not confirm current fares, check-in times or refund rules for any operator. Check the official Lomprayah booking page or Raja Ferry's site for current terms.
Do Koh Samui ferry schedules change on holidays or in bad weather?
Yes, timetables can change on public holidays and peak seasons, and some crossings run less often. Rough seas can also cancel or delay passenger boats. Allow a buffer day before any international flight. That is editorial advice, not an operator rule. Confirm the last boat of the day before you commit to a late departure.
Mistakes to avoid on a Koh Samui ferry trip
Most problems come from tight connections and the wrong pier. Fix those two first, then look at luggage and vehicles.
Mae Nam taxi from Chaweng or Fisherman's Village is an estimate of 20 to 30 minutes, so budget that before booking a late connection.
- Booking a Bangkok-to-Samui ferry that is not sailing.
- Choosing a pier far from your hotel without pricing the taxi.
- Booking a same-day connection to a flight.
- Assuming a passenger boat carries a car or motorbike.
- Skipping the operator's current timetable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a ferry from Bangkok to Koh Samui?
No direct Bangkok ferry to Samui is currently listed as sailing. Bundled bus-and-boat trips are quoted at about 8 to 10 hours in search snippets, so confirm with the seller.
How much does it cost to get a car on the ferry?
We could not verify a current vehicle fare. Raja Ferry's site is the place to check car rates for the Donsak crossing.
What is the cheapest way to get to Koh Samui?
A bundled bus-and-ferry ticket is usually the lowest-cost route. Snippets cite fares from ฿1,000, but confirm that figure before booking.
How much does the ferry cost from Samui to Koh Phangan?
We have no verified fare for this crossing. Check the operator's current timetable, such as Lomprayah's, for the price on your date.
Notes for your Thailand trip
Optional updates when we add or change a town or island guide.
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